Take It Read online

  "Oh really? I'll have to check it out sometime," she said, laughing. She couldn't believe that Zack had cared enough to bother to find out where she lived. "So...do you want to come inside?" She asked, suddenly nervous.

  What are you doing? You barely know this guy.

  "Yeah, I'll come in," Zack said, melting her with his huge smile. Brandi pushed her negative thoughts away and led him inside. "Nice house," he commented. Brandi shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

  He raised his eyebrows at her. "You guess?"

  She swallowed hard. "It's just...my dad left, and it's..."

  Zack pulled her in for a hug before she had a chance to cry. She wrapped her arms around him and inhaled, loving the smell of his leather jacket and cologne.

  "That sucks, Brandi. I'm sorry. My mom left when I was three. It's just me and my dad. I know how it feels."

  Brandi nodded, grateful that he understood her. "It's just hard, is all," she said, sniffling. "He got his secretary pregnant and divorced my mom. Now he wants nothing to do with us."

  He kissed the top of her head. "Then it's his loss," he said softly. Brandi reluctantly pulled out of his embrace, wiping her eyes. She gazed up into his soft, sympathetic eyes. "Thanks, Zack," she said.

  "So, can I see your room?" He asked. Brandi nodded, thankful for the change in topic. "This way," she said, leading him upstairs.

  What are you doing? A voice in her head screamed. You barely know this guy and you’re bringing him to your room, alone? She pushed the voice aside and opened her door. "This is it," she said. Zack looked around, smirking. "It's very...pink."

  Brandi chuckled, embarrassed. "Yeah, I haven't really ever changed it since I was little. I've never cared that much, I guess."

  Zack turned away to leave, and Brandi felt relieved that he didn't want to explore her bedroom anymore. "I have to go to work," Zack said. "I just wanted to stop by and say hi. And get your number. I didn't have a chance to ask you last night." Brandi told him her number as he programmed it into his phone. "I sent you a text so you'll have my number too."

  "Thanks," Brandi said. "Where do you work?"

  "My dad's a mechanic over at Larry's. I work part time at the counter. I'll see you tomorrow at school, ok?"

  "Sure," Brandi said, smiling. Zack gave her a hug as she watched him leave. She sighed happily. Zack Masterson had been in her house. Seen her room. Hugged her and kissed her head. She went into the bathroom and washed her face, wiping away any traces of makeup. She felt better and went downstairs to start dinner for her and her mom.

  "So are you excited for school tomorrow?" Her mom asked. Brandi shrugged. "I guess."

  Conversation with her mom was usually strained and short. It was as if both of them were afraid of saying the wrong thing. Brandi wished they could go back to being happy like they were when her dad was still around. "Do you like my hair?"

  Lynn looked up, surprised. "Oh, you changed it. Yes honey, it's very pretty."

  Brandi sighed, putting her fork down. "You didn't even notice."

  "I have a lot on my mind, Brandi. I'm sorry," Lynn said, her eyes filling with tears. "I told you it looks pretty."

  "Mom, it's fine. I didn't mean..."

  Lynn shook her head, standing up. "I'm going to go lay down. I'm not feeling well."

  "Mom, wait," Brandi pleaded. "I'm sorry. I know you have a lot on your mind. Please sit down."

  Lynn shook her head, sobbing. She stormed upstairs and slammed the door to her bedroom. Brandi fought back her own tears. Somehow in the past few months, she had become the mother, tiptoeing around her mom's mood swings and taking over the cooking and cleaning. Some days Lynn treated Brandi like a little girl who needed protecting and other days, like today, she didn't seem to notice her at all. The littlest thing would send her mom into hysterics, and Brandi never seemed to know the right thing to say. She cleaned up dinner and went upstairs to lay down, mentally exhausted. She grabbed her phone to set her alarm for the next morning and smiled when she saw Zack's text.

  You're beautiful.

  She sighed happily, her sour mood disappearing. She looked forward to the morning when she would see Kayla and Zack and could bury herself in her school work, and hopefully her life would have some normalcy in it again.

  Take It Seriously

  "Where's your makeup?" Kayla cried as Brandi got into her car. "I thought you were going to wear it today."

  Brandi had her own car, but Kayla lived close so it just made sense to drive to school together. Brandi looked at Kayla, unable to keep the smile from her face. "I have to tell you something, but promise me you won't make a big deal of it, ok?"

  Kayla nodded eagerly. Brandi laughed, knowing that Kayla would definitely make a big deal of it. "When I got home yesterday, Zack was at my house waiting for me."

  "What!? Why didn't you tell me?" Kayla shrieked.

  "I was going to, but last night with my mom..."

  Kayla nodded, more serious this time. "I get it. So what happened?"

  "So, he was waiting for me, and he said I looked prettier without makeup. We went inside for a minute and I showed him my room. Then he had to go to work. Nothing really happened," Brandi said.

  "He didn't like your make up? That's weird."

  Brandi shrugged. "Honestly, I don't care for it either. It's just easier to get ready in the morning without worrying about it. Also, he texted me last night to tell me that I was beautiful."

  Kayla squealed. "I told you! He likes you! Are you gonna go out with him?"

  Brandi giggled. "If he asks, I'll say yes. But I don't want to get my hopes up. He kind of seems too good to be true."

  Kayla pulled into her parking spot at the school. "I'm so happy for you, Brandi. I need to meet this guy. He seems great. Even though he doesn't like makeup."

  Brandi rolled her eyes and got out of the car. "Seriously, Kayla, don't make a big deal of it. I don't want to act like I'm desperate."

  "I won't say anything," Kayla promised. "But if he asks you out, I want to meet him."

  "Alright, mom," Brandi joked. "I'll see you at lunch, ok?" Kayla nodded and bounced off to find her locker.

  Luckily, they had the same lockers as last year so Brandi didn't have to fumble with a new combination. She opened her locker and saw a red rose with a card taped to the inside of the door. "What the..." She mumbled. She opened the note with shaking hands.

  Look behind you.

  Brandi spun around to see Zack grinning at her with those sexy dark eyes and perfect teeth. She broke out into a huge smile. "You did this?" She asked.

  "Of course I did. Who did you think it was?"

  "You," she answered, smiling up at him.

  He grabbed her books. "Where's your first period? I'll walk you."

  "Umm..." She said, fumbling with her schedule. "415. Other side of the building."

  They walked in an amicable silence. "What are you doing tonight?" He asked. Brandi thought. "I don't know. Homework?"

  "They don't give homework on the first day. Let me take you out." She looked up in surprise. "Really?"

  "Yes, Brandi, really. I'll pick you up at 6. I know where you live."

  "Yeah, ok. Yeah," she stuttered, turning pink.

  He laughed. "You're so cute. I'll text you, ok?" She smiled and watched him leave.

  "Hey Brandi."

  She glanced up and saw Eric Kellen watching her. "What are you looking at?" He asked, following her gaze. She flushed. "Nothing. How was your summer?"

  He shrugged. "Same old." They sat down at their desks. Eric wasn't a very close friend of hers, but he was nice. Even if he was extremely nerdy.

  Brandi sat through the class, only half paying attention. They didn't teach much on the first day anyway. She wondered where Zack was taking her tonight and how she would dress. She also wondered what version of her mom she would get when she told her that she was going on a date. She had gone on a date before last year, but it was a nightmare. Kayla had thought Brandi and her cousin, Jeff,
would be a good match. Jeff turned out to be a jerk, and he had spent the whole night trying to get into her pants. She finally left, disgusted. But this was different. This was a real date. Because Zack liked her and wanted to take her out, not because someone set her up on a blind date.

  "Brandi Warner?"

  She looked up at Mr. Stone, feeling the whole class staring at her. "Uhh..."

  "She's with me," Eric interrupted. The teacher nodded and checked his book, moving on. Brandi breathed a sigh of relief and forced herself to pay attention. "The project will be worth 25% of your grade this semester. I suggest you take it seriously. Use the rest of the period to discuss with your partner what you want to do."

  Brandi leaned over to talk to Eric. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention. What are we supposed to be doing?"

  He grinned. "It's cool. I got it. We have to pick a historic event and do a report with visuals on how the event would have happened if they had access to all the technology we have today, and if it would have ended differently and how it would have changed history."

  "Jesus," Brandi said. "Visuals? Really? Shit. Do you have any ideas?"

  "I have a few. What are you doing after school?"

  "Actually, I have a date," she said. It even felt weird coming out of her mouth.

  Eric sat back. "Oh," he said. "Well we can figure it out another time. This weekend or something."

  "How about Saturday?" Brandi asked. "Like noon? We can go to my house."

  Eric agreed, and they spent the rest of the period bouncing bad ideas off of each other.

  By the time lunch came around, Brandi couldn't wait to see Kayla. "Kayla!" She cried, running up to her. Kayla raised her eyebrows, surprised to see calm, collected Brandi so animated. "Guess what! Zack gave me a rose this morning and he asked me out tonight and he's picking me up tonight at six and I don't know what to wear," she rushed out. "Holy shit, my wardrobe is awful. Why didn't I listen to you yesterday and buy some new stuff? Fuck my life."

  Kayla stared at her, wide eyed. "He gave you a rose and asked you out?"

  Brandi smiled. "Yeah. It was in my locker with a note that said "Look behind you." So I did and he was standing there and he asked me out. I'm not even sure what we're doing."

  Kayla scrunched her brow. "How'd he get into your locker?"

  Brandi sighed in frustration. "I don't know. Who cares? What do I wear?"

  Kayla looked up in thought. "That black pencil skirt that makes your ass look amazing. Black boots, your white ruffly tank top, and your black leather jacket. Cute and good for anywhere he takes you."

  Brandi shook her head in amazement. "How do you know my wardrobe better than I do? How is that even possible?" Kayla laughed. "It's a gift. Everyone has that one weird thing they're good at."

  Brandi got a huge plate of fries for her and Kayla to share and sat down. "So I know you said you wanted to meet him," Brandi said between mouthfuls, "but can we just wait until after tonight? I want to make sure everything goes ok first."

  Kayla laughed at Brandi's nervousness. "Relax, Brandi. I don't expect you to parade me over to him and introduce us. But maybe you can just point him out if you see him? Does he have lunch this period?"

  Brandi glanced around. "I don't see him. I'm sure you'll meet him eventually. Do you have to do that project for Mr. Stone? That technology in history thing?"

  Kayla rolled her eyes and nodded. "They're getting desperate for new ideas. Who's your partner?"

  "Eric Kellen. Thankfully, he's smart so we should be able to come up with something good."

  Kayla snorted. "You got paired with Nerd Alert? That sucks."

  "He's not so bad," Brandi defended him. "He's just...nerdy."

  Kayla's face grew into a huge smile and they both burst out laughing.

  "What's so funny?" A voice behind her asked. Kayla looked up and raised her eyebrows. Brandi turned around to see Zack staring down at her with an amused look on his face. "Zack! Hi!" She exclaimed. "Nothing. We were just...discussing a history project."

  Zack laughed. "That does sound hilarious," he joked, sitting next to her. He smiled at Kayla. "I haven't met you yet. I'm Zack."

  "I'm Kayla," she said. "Why haven't I met you before?"

  He shrugged. "I'm not in advanced classes."

  Kayla nodded. "That makes sense then. How old are you?"

  "I'm only 18. I'm not in the dumb classes either."

  Kayla's face turned red. "I didn't mean..."

  Zack broke out in a grin. "I'm kidding. I know that's not what you meant. I just wanted to introduce myself and make sure you didn't forget about me tonight," he said, wrapping his arm around Brandi. Brandi blushed and smiled. "Of course I didn't forget. I'll see you at six."

  Zack kissed her on the head and left. Brandi watched him leave then turned back to Kayla. "So? You approve?"

  "Holy. Shit. You didn't tell me how hot he was. How have I never noticed him before?"

  Brandi giggled. "He is, right? I wonder why he wants to go out with me." Kayla shot her a warning glance, and she shut her mouth.

  Brandi laid her outfit on the bed and sighed in relief. Kayla was a genius. Now she just needed to find something to kill the three hours she had between now and six. She took a long shower and shaved her legs and bikini area. Not that she was giving anything up tonight, but it made her feel more confident when she was clean shaven. She spent the next hour straightening her hair. She knew Zack didn't really like makeup on her, but a little bit of mascara wouldn't make her look too clownish. She brushed a few coats on her lashes and put some clear gloss on her lips. Deeming herself appropriate, she did the small amount of homework that she had. Her phone buzzed and she grabbed it, hoping it was a sweet message from Zack. It was from her mom.

  Working a double. Be home around midnight. Love u

  Brandi smiled. Even better. She didn't have to introduce Zack to the train wreck that was her mother. Not yet at least. She hummed as she put her hair up and took it down about five times. She decided to wear it down and checked her phone. 5:35. She put on her outfit and waited nervously. Hopefully Zack wouldn't realize she was a loser and decide she wasn't worth his time.

  At 6:05, the doorbell rang. Brandi gasped and ran downstairs, flinging the door open. Zack stood in his leather jacket and nice jeans with a bouquet of flowers. "Sorry I'm late. I wanted to get you flowers but the cashier took forever."

  Brandi smiled softly and took the flowers. "Thank you, Zack. I love them. Come in so I can put them in water."

  Zack followed her inside. "Where's your mom?" He asked. She looked over her shoulder and caught him staring at her ass. "Sorry," he said, meeting her eyes and smiling. "Your body is distracting."

  She blushed. "My mom's at work. She won't be home until midnight or so. Where are we going, anyway?"

  "Lucianno's. Have you been there?"

  She shook her head. "No, but I heard it was good. Can you help me? I'm too short to reach." Zack leaned over her and grabbed the vase from the cabinet. Brandi gasped as he pressed himself against her back. "Got it," he said, stepping back and putting the vase down. Brandi turned around and looked into his eyes. His gaze was smoldering. Brandi licked her lips nervously. Zack cleared his throat. "Let's go."

  Brandi followed him out the door, relieved yet disappointed at the same time.

  "So you want to be an accountant?" Zack asked. Brandi nodded, swallowing her bite of lasagna. "Yeah. I used to want to be a nurse like my mother, but her hours are ridiculous. She's the epitome of overworked and underpaid. Also I hate blood. But I love math. I know, I'm a nerd. But seriously, I would love to get paid to do math. What do you want to do after high school?"

  Zack shrugged. "I'm thinking of joining the army. College isn't really my thing."

  "That's great," Brandi said. "My dad was in the army. I have a lot of respect for the military."

  "What does your dad do now?" He asked.

  "He's a lawyer. A divorce lawyer, actually. The only reason my mom and
I didn't get screwed over too badly was because he felt guilty for leaving us. He left us pretty comfortable. Financially, anyway."

  "So why does your mom work so much?"

  Brandi looked down, playing with her fork. She didn't really want to get into details about her mom, but he was bound to find out anyway. Better he be prepared. "She works because she wants to work. After the divorce, she got really depressed. Pretty much all she does is work and sleep. When she is around, she's either crying or clingy or wants nothing to do with me. She's like three different people. Just in case you ever meet her, you'll know what to expect."

  Zack watched her for a second. "What about you?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean, your dad left and your mom is either gone or emotionally unavailable. Don't you ever feel lonely?"

  Brandi shrugged. "I'm not really one of those people who needs to talk about my feelings all the time. Besides, I have Kayla. And her mom is more of a mother to me than my own is."

  Zack took her hand, running his thumb over hers. "You have me, too. You can talk to me if you want to."

  Brandi looked at him through her lashes shyly. "Can I ask you something?"

  "Mm hmm," he murmured, staring at their intertwined hands.

  "Why did you ask me out tonight?"

  He looked up in surprise. "What do you mean?"

  She bit her lip. "I guess I'm asking what you see in me. You're so...nice. And, you know, attractive. I'm just..."

  "Pretty," he interrupted her. "Nice. Funny. Smart. You think for yourself. You're not a professional blow job machine."

  Brandi burst out laughing. "Yeah, I'll give you that one."

  Zack signaled the waiter for the check. Brandi cleared her throat nervously. "Do you want me to pay for half?"

  Zack glared at her, his smile fading. "Don't insult me, Brandi. I may not have as much money as you, but I'm not an asshole."

  Brandi eyes widened and her face turned red. "I didn't...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you. I just...I thought I should offer. Just in case."

  Zack closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened his eyes and smiled at her. "I'm sorry. I overreacted. Forgive me?"